International Journal of Coercion, Abuse, and Manipulation (IJCAM)

Vol. 8 (2025). Published January 15th, 2025.  

DOI: 10.54208/1000/0008/005

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Charles Manson: Cult Leader, Counterculture Hero, and Psychopath


Jodi M. Lane

Abstract

Although many popular culture publications attempt to delve into the psychology of Charles Manson, most focus on his criminal behavior and subsequent trial in relation to the Tate-LaBianca murders. This narrative review uses available biographic information about Manson across his lifespan and applies Robert D. Hare’s formulation of both interpersonal and affective traits associated with the psychological construct of psychopathy. Ultimately, this review identifies multiple elements in Manson’s personal history that meet Hare’s criteria for psychopathy. The results of this study add to the growing body of psychobiographies that utilize a retrospective framework from autobiographical information to comprehensively explore the psyches of historical figures.

Keywords: Charles Manson, Psychopathy, Robert D. Hare, Psychobiography